Aaronboyer
Something Worth Fighting For
[OVERVIEW]
Silvally-Dark differentiates itself from other Silvally formes both as one of the best Knock Off absorbers on offer and as the most reliable Pursuit trapper in the tier. It also has utility options other Silvally formes possess such as the ability to pivot and remove entry hazards from play. However, Silvally-Dark is limited to just a utility role due to the immense competition it faces as a Swords Dance Dark-type from Pawniard. Furthermore, Silvally-Dark doesn't have access to Knock Off, a staple for most other Dark-types, meaning it can't remove items from Pokemon such as Bronzor and Mareanie. Silvally-Dark also unfortunately draws in wallbreakers and setup sweepers such as Pinsir, Shell Smash Crustle, Silvally-Fighting, and Hakamo-o due to its limited coverage options.
[SET]
name: Utility Pursuit Trapper
move 1: Multi-Attack
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Defog
item: Dark Memory
ability: RKS System
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Multi-Attack is Silvally-Dark's strongest and most reliable STAB option, hitting Pokemon such as Bronzor and Beheeyem super effectively. Pursuit weakens the Pokemon Silvally-Dark forces out such as Exeggutor and the aforementioned Bronzor and Beheeyem. U-turn allows Silvally-Dark to pivot out of Pokemon it has a bad matchup against such as Granbull, Silvally-Fighting, and Pinsir. Defog removes entry hazards for teammates such as Oricorio, Swanna, and Mareanie. Swords Dance can also be run if Defog is not needed to allow Silvally-Dark to become the strongest Pursuit user in the tier.
Set Details
========
A Jolly nature is preferred to allow Silvally-Dark to Speed tie with other offensive Silvally formes and non-Choice Scarf Electivire, as well as outspeed Pokemon such as Misdreavus.
Usage Tips
========
Silvally-Dark doesn't have any reliable recovery options, and therefore it should be played conservatively, only switching in to take resisted hits, absorb Knock Offs, Pursuit trap weakened foes, and remove entry hazards. Silvally-Dark should pivot out of Pokemon it outspeeds and has a bad matchup against to conserve momentum and its health. Notably, Silvally-Dark has a rough matchup versus common entry hazard setters such as Golem, Crustle, and Mawile and should focus on pivoting in a teammate that has a better matchup against such threats. If you predict a Pokemon such as Bronzor to switch out, use Pursuit. If you believe it's going to stay in predicting the Pursuit and Silvally-Dark can't afford to be induced with Toxic status or have Stealth Rock be put up again, use Multi-Attack. Be wary of Focus Sash + Counter Kadabra when deciding whether or not to Pursuit trap it, if applicable.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate Pursuit trapped targets being removed such as Substitute + Swords Dance Bouffalant and specially offensive Floatzel benefit from having Silvally-Dark as a teammate. Silvally-Dark appreciates having checks to Pinsir such as Gourgeist-XL and Simisear on its side, as it eases pressure off of it to continue to remove entry hazards and Pursuit trap foes. Gourgeist-XL also happens to be a fantastic switch-in to Silvally-Fighting, while Simisear appreciates the removal of Stealth Rock Silvally-Dark provides. Beyond just Gourgeist-XL, however, Silvally-Dark also appreciates Fighting-type switch-ins such Altaria, physically defensive Beheeyem, and Granbull. In the same vein, additional Pokemon that appreciate the removal of entry hazards include Electivire, Swanna, and Rapidash. Silvally-Dark isn't the greatest entry hazard remover considering its lack of reliable recovery options and susceptibility to all forms of entry hazards. Therefore, Silvally-Dark can be used alongside another entry hazard remover such as the aforementioned Altaria or Swanna as a secondary means of entry hazard removal.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Parting Shot can be used to lower a foe's attacking stats before switching out as an alternative to U-turn. However, Soundproof and Clear Body users are immune to the move, which include three of Silvally-Dark's checks: Hakamo-o, Mr. Mime, and Carbink. Swords Dance variants can forgo Pursuit for Zen Headbutt as coverage for Muk and Fighting-types such as Silvally-Fighting, Machoke, and Monferno. However, this set not only faces competition with other Swords Dance Dark-types such as Pawniard but also loses one-on-one to most physical walls, most notably Colbur Berry Gourgeist-XL. Furthermore, utilizing a Swords Dance set draws attention away from Silvally-Dark's most defining feature: being the best Pursuit trapper the metagame has to offer. Silvally-Dark can also utilize a more defensively inclined EV spread and moveset of Rest, Toxic, Defog, and Multi-Attack to function as a dedicated Knock Off absorber. However, while this is an extremely important function for stall teams, Silvally-Dark is considerably passive and has to utilize Rest as its only form of recovery. Additionally, Silvally-Dark almost always has to be used in tandem with a secondary entry hazard remover due to its susceptibility of being worn down fast while asleep.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Silvally-Fighting, Machoke, and Combusken resist all of Silvally-Dark's moves and can use it as setup opportunity to acquire boosts from Swords Dance, Bulk Up, or Speed Boost.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Granbull and Carbink resist Multi-Attack, Pursuit, and U-turn and threaten it out with their respective STAB moves. Mawile can also set Stealth Rock up again as Silvally-Dark Defogs and U-turns out with the looming threat of Play Rough or Toxic.
**Defensive Walls**: Physical walls, especially those with reliable recovery options such as Gourgeist-XL and Altaria, can be incredibly hard for Silvally-Dark to defeat on its own.
**Pinsir and U-turn users**: Pinsir can utilize Silvally-Dark as means of setting up with either Z-Me First or Swords Dance, while other U-turn users such as Choice Band Komala and Silvally-Ground can severely dent Silvally-Dark.
**Residual Damage**: Due to its lack of reliable recovery options and having to switch into entry hazards every time to remove them from play, Silvally-Dark can easily fall victim the being worn down over time.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Aaronboyer, 239454]]
- Quality checked by: [[5gen, 296755], [BloodAce0107, 435539], [DurzaOffTopic, 357488]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Mafeking, 122460]]
Silvally-Dark differentiates itself from other Silvally formes both as one of the best Knock Off absorbers on offer and as the most reliable Pursuit trapper in the tier. It also has utility options other Silvally formes possess such as the ability to pivot and remove entry hazards from play. However, Silvally-Dark is limited to just a utility role due to the immense competition it faces as a Swords Dance Dark-type from Pawniard. Furthermore, Silvally-Dark doesn't have access to Knock Off, a staple for most other Dark-types, meaning it can't remove items from Pokemon such as Bronzor and Mareanie. Silvally-Dark also unfortunately draws in wallbreakers and setup sweepers such as Pinsir, Shell Smash Crustle, Silvally-Fighting, and Hakamo-o due to its limited coverage options.
[SET]
name: Utility Pursuit Trapper
move 1: Multi-Attack
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Defog
item: Dark Memory
ability: RKS System
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Multi-Attack is Silvally-Dark's strongest and most reliable STAB option, hitting Pokemon such as Bronzor and Beheeyem super effectively. Pursuit weakens the Pokemon Silvally-Dark forces out such as Exeggutor and the aforementioned Bronzor and Beheeyem. U-turn allows Silvally-Dark to pivot out of Pokemon it has a bad matchup against such as Granbull, Silvally-Fighting, and Pinsir. Defog removes entry hazards for teammates such as Oricorio, Swanna, and Mareanie. Swords Dance can also be run if Defog is not needed to allow Silvally-Dark to become the strongest Pursuit user in the tier.
Set Details
========
A Jolly nature is preferred to allow Silvally-Dark to Speed tie with other offensive Silvally formes and non-Choice Scarf Electivire, as well as outspeed Pokemon such as Misdreavus.
Usage Tips
========
Silvally-Dark doesn't have any reliable recovery options, and therefore it should be played conservatively, only switching in to take resisted hits, absorb Knock Offs, Pursuit trap weakened foes, and remove entry hazards. Silvally-Dark should pivot out of Pokemon it outspeeds and has a bad matchup against to conserve momentum and its health. Notably, Silvally-Dark has a rough matchup versus common entry hazard setters such as Golem, Crustle, and Mawile and should focus on pivoting in a teammate that has a better matchup against such threats. If you predict a Pokemon such as Bronzor to switch out, use Pursuit. If you believe it's going to stay in predicting the Pursuit and Silvally-Dark can't afford to be induced with Toxic status or have Stealth Rock be put up again, use Multi-Attack. Be wary of Focus Sash + Counter Kadabra when deciding whether or not to Pursuit trap it, if applicable.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate Pursuit trapped targets being removed such as Substitute + Swords Dance Bouffalant and specially offensive Floatzel benefit from having Silvally-Dark as a teammate. Silvally-Dark appreciates having checks to Pinsir such as Gourgeist-XL and Simisear on its side, as it eases pressure off of it to continue to remove entry hazards and Pursuit trap foes. Gourgeist-XL also happens to be a fantastic switch-in to Silvally-Fighting, while Simisear appreciates the removal of Stealth Rock Silvally-Dark provides. Beyond just Gourgeist-XL, however, Silvally-Dark also appreciates Fighting-type switch-ins such Altaria, physically defensive Beheeyem, and Granbull. In the same vein, additional Pokemon that appreciate the removal of entry hazards include Electivire, Swanna, and Rapidash. Silvally-Dark isn't the greatest entry hazard remover considering its lack of reliable recovery options and susceptibility to all forms of entry hazards. Therefore, Silvally-Dark can be used alongside another entry hazard remover such as the aforementioned Altaria or Swanna as a secondary means of entry hazard removal.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Parting Shot can be used to lower a foe's attacking stats before switching out as an alternative to U-turn. However, Soundproof and Clear Body users are immune to the move, which include three of Silvally-Dark's checks: Hakamo-o, Mr. Mime, and Carbink. Swords Dance variants can forgo Pursuit for Zen Headbutt as coverage for Muk and Fighting-types such as Silvally-Fighting, Machoke, and Monferno. However, this set not only faces competition with other Swords Dance Dark-types such as Pawniard but also loses one-on-one to most physical walls, most notably Colbur Berry Gourgeist-XL. Furthermore, utilizing a Swords Dance set draws attention away from Silvally-Dark's most defining feature: being the best Pursuit trapper the metagame has to offer. Silvally-Dark can also utilize a more defensively inclined EV spread and moveset of Rest, Toxic, Defog, and Multi-Attack to function as a dedicated Knock Off absorber. However, while this is an extremely important function for stall teams, Silvally-Dark is considerably passive and has to utilize Rest as its only form of recovery. Additionally, Silvally-Dark almost always has to be used in tandem with a secondary entry hazard remover due to its susceptibility of being worn down fast while asleep.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Silvally-Fighting, Machoke, and Combusken resist all of Silvally-Dark's moves and can use it as setup opportunity to acquire boosts from Swords Dance, Bulk Up, or Speed Boost.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Granbull and Carbink resist Multi-Attack, Pursuit, and U-turn and threaten it out with their respective STAB moves. Mawile can also set Stealth Rock up again as Silvally-Dark Defogs and U-turns out with the looming threat of Play Rough or Toxic.
**Defensive Walls**: Physical walls, especially those with reliable recovery options such as Gourgeist-XL and Altaria, can be incredibly hard for Silvally-Dark to defeat on its own.
**Pinsir and U-turn users**: Pinsir can utilize Silvally-Dark as means of setting up with either Z-Me First or Swords Dance, while other U-turn users such as Choice Band Komala and Silvally-Ground can severely dent Silvally-Dark.
**Residual Damage**: Due to its lack of reliable recovery options and having to switch into entry hazards every time to remove them from play, Silvally-Dark can easily fall victim the being worn down over time.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Aaronboyer, 239454]]
- Quality checked by: [[5gen, 296755], [BloodAce0107, 435539], [DurzaOffTopic, 357488]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Mafeking, 122460]]
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